Floor cleaning apparatus and cleaner roller for a floor cleaning apparatus

1 . A floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) comprising at least one cleaning unit ( 50 ), wherein said cleaning unit ( 50 ) comprises:

a support frame ( 63 ),

at least one cleaner roller ( 110 ),

a first and a second connector ( 111 , 112 ) interposed between the support frame ( 63 ) and opposite ends of the cleaner roller ( 110 ), in order to rotatably engage the cleaner roller ( 110 ) itself with the support frame ( 63 ) around a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (X),

wherein at least one of the first or the second connector ( 111 , 112 ) comprises a male component ( 113 ) and a female component ( 114 ) coupled together in a removable manner, wherein the male component ( 113 ) comprises:

at least one base ( 115 ) having at least one radial projection ( 116 ) configured for engaging the female component ( 114 ) and preventing a relative rotation between the male component ( 113 ) and the female component ( 114 ),

at least one invitation portion ( 117 ) extended as a prolongation of the base ( 115 ) along the axis of rotation (X), wherein said invitation portion ( 117 ) has a tapered shape moving away from said base ( 115 ) and is configured for guiding the male component ( 113 ) in at least partial insertion within the female component ( 114 ),

wherein each radial projection ( 116 ) has an end portion ( 116 b ) facing the invitation portion ( 117 ) and terminating before the invitation portion ( 117 ) in a direction away from the base ( 115 ).

2 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the base ( 115 ) has a central body with cylindrical lateral wall ( 119 ) coaxial with said axis of rotation (X) and a plurality of radial projections ( 116 ), emerging from the lateral wall ( 119 ) of said central body, optionally angularly offset from each other by an angle between 30° and 90°.

3 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the male component ( 113 ) has at least one recess ( 123 ) in interposition between two angularly successive radial projections ( 116 ), said recess ( 123 ) being configured for receiving, in engagement, a radial counter-projection ( 124 ) of the female component ( 114 );

wherein each recess ( 123 ) of the male component ( 113 ) is inferiorly delimited by the lateral wall ( 119 ) of the central body ( 118 ), each said recess ( 123 ) of the male component ( 113 ) being at least partly counter-shaped to the radial counter-projection ( 124 ) of the female component ( 114 ); and

wherein the invitation portion ( 117 ) has an external surface converging moving away from the base ( 115 ), optionally the invitation portion ( 117 ) has a conical or frustoconical shape;

optionally wherein the invitation portion ( 117 ) has a predetermined longitudinal extension along the axis of rotation (X) between 70% and 99% of a longitudinal extension of the central body of the base ( 115 ) along the same direction.

4 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 3 , wherein each counter-radial projection ( 124 ) emerges from the main body ( 129 ) towards the internal volume, each counter-radial projection ( 124 ) being configured for being insertingly arranged within a respective recess ( 123 ) of the male component ( 113 );

wherein the female component has a plurality of counter-radial projection ( 124 ), emerging from the main body ( 129 ), angularly offset from each other by an angle between 30° and 90°.

5 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 3 , wherein each counter-radial projection ( 124 ) is extended along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation (X), said counter-radial projection ( 124 ) comprising:

a main portion ( 124 a ),

an end portion ( 124 b ), following the main portion ( 124 a ) and facing the passage opening ( 131 ), wherein said end portion ( 124 b ) has a tapered shape configured for guiding the counter-radial projection ( 124 ) in engagement within the respective recess ( 123 ) of the male component ( 113 );

optionally wherein each counter-radial projection ( 124 ) has, at the internal surface of the external wall ( 132 ) of the main body ( 129 ), an angular extension of between 0° and 20°.

6 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 5 , wherein the main portion ( 124 a ) of each of said counter-radial projection ( 124 ) is laterally delimited by sides ( 133 a ) that converge with respect to each other, radially proceeding towards the axis of rotation (X) and wherein the end portion ( 124 b ) of each of said counter-radial projections ( 124 ) is laterally delimited by sides ( 133 b ) that converge with respect to each other, both proceeding radially towards the axis of rotation (X), and proceeding in approaching the passage opening;

wherein the angular extension of the end portion ( 124 b ) of each counter-radial projection ( 124 ) of the female component ( 114 ) decreases in approaching the passage opening ( 131 );

optionally wherein the converging sides ( 133 b ) of the end portion ( 124 b ) of each counter-radial projection ( 124 ) are incident with respect to each other at the passage opening ( 131 ) to define a sharp or smoothed edge and wherein the converging sides ( 133 b ) of the end portion ( 124 b ) of each counter-radial projection ( 124 ) form an angle between 10° and 90°.

7 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 3 , wherein each counter-radial projection ( 124 ) is superiorly delimited by a top wall ( 134 ) having a curvilinear shape, with concavity directed towards the internal volume of the main body ( 129 );

wherein the top walls ( 134 ) of the counter-radial projections ( 124 ) lie on a same ideal cylindrical surface;

and wherein an indentation ( 120 ) of the female component ( 114 ) is interposed between two angularly successive counter-radial projections ( 124 ), said indentation ( 120 ) being configured to receive, in engagement, a respective radial projection ( 116 ) of the male component ( 113 ).

8 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 7 , wherein the sides ( 133 a ) of the main portion ( 124 a ) of each counter-projection ( 124 ) diverge from each other proceeding in moving away from the passage opening ( 131 ), conferring to each indentation ( 120 ) an angular extension that is progressively reduced, always proceeding in moving away from the passage opening,

optionally wherein the angular width of each indentation ( 120 ), measured on the internal surface of the external wall ( 132 ), is reduced by a value of from 1° to 3°, following the entire extension of the main portion ( 124 a ) of the counter-radial projections ( 124 ) adjacent to the same indentation ( 120 );

and wherein the indentation ( 120 ) of the female component ( 114 ) is inferiorly delimited by the internal surface of the external wall ( 132 ), each of said indentation ( 120 ) of the female component ( 114 ) being at least partly counter-shaped with respect to a respective radial projection ( 116 ) of the male component ( 113 ).

9 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein each radial projection ( 116 ) is superiorly delimited by a top wall ( 122 ) having a curvilinear shape, with concavity directed towards the axis of rotation (X); and

wherein the top walls ( 122 ) of the radial projections ( 166 ) lie on a same ideal cylindrical surface.

10 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the male component ( 113 ) has at least one attachment flange ( 125 ) emerging from the base ( 115 ) on the side opposite the invitation portion ( 117 ), said attachment flange ( 125 ) being torsionally couplable to at least one between a drive shaft or a motorized component ( 126 );

optionally wherein the attachment flange ( 125 ) radially projects with respect to each of said radial projections ( 116 );

wherein the base ( 115 ) has at least one cavity ( 127 ) extended starting from one end of the base ( 115 ) opposite the invitation portion ( 117 ) in the direction of the latter, wherein said cavity ( 127 ) defines a passage suitable to allow the insertion of a portion of the drive shaft or of the motorized component ( 126 ).

11 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the base ( 115 ) has at least one through hole ( 128 ) facing the cavity ( 127 ) in order to allow the insertion of at least one constraint element configured for blocking the male component ( 113 ) with respect to said portion of the drive shaft or of the motorized component ( 126 );

wherein the through hole is defined at one of said recesses ( 123 ), in interposition between two angularly successive radial projections ( 116 );

optionally wherein the male component ( 113 ) has a first and a second through hole aligned with each other along a same radial direction incident on the axis of rotation (X), said first and second through holes both facing the cavity ( 127 ) in a manner such to define a respective passage suitable to allow the insertion of at least one constraint element configured for blocking the male component ( 113 ) with respect to said portion of the drive shaft or of the motorized component ( 126 ); wherein the first and the second through holes are radially opposite each other with respect to the axis of rotation (X).

12 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the female component ( 114 ) comprises a main body ( 129 ) defining an internal volume for at least partly housing the male component ( 113 );

wherein the main body ( 129 ) has a radial shoulder ( 130 ) at a passage opening ( 131 ) to the internal volume, said radial shoulder ( 130 ) being configured for acting in abutment against a terminal edge of the cleaner roller ( 110 );

wherein the female component ( 114 ) engages the cleaner roller ( 110 ) at one end of the cleaner roller ( 110 ), with an external wall ( 132 ), optionally cylindrical, of the main body ( 129 ) inserted in a corresponding cavity of the cleaner roller ( 110 ).

13 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning unit ( 50 ) comprises two cleaner rollers ( 110 ) engageable with respective first and second connectors ( 111 , 112 ), wherein said cleaner rollers ( 110 ) are movable by rotation around respective horizontal axes of rotation parallel to each other; and wherein the cleaning unit ( 50 ) comprises at least one motor ( 137 ) carried by the support frame ( 63 ) that is directly engageable with the male component ( 113 ), or indirectly engageable with the same male component ( 113 ) through a motorized component ( 126 ).

14 . A floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) comprising at least one cleaning unit ( 50 ), wherein said cleaning unit ( 50 ) comprises:

a support frame ( 63 ),

at least one cleaner roller ( 110 ),

a first and a second connector ( 111 , 112 ) interposed between the support frame ( 63 ) and opposite ends of the cleaner roller ( 110 ), in order to rotatably engage the cleaner roller ( 110 ) itself with the support frame ( 63 ) around a substantially horizontal axis of rotation

wherein at least one of the first or the second connector ( 111 , 112 ) comprises a male component ( 113 ) and a female component ( 114 ) coupled together in a removable manner, wherein the male component ( 113 ) comprises:

at least one base ( 115 ) having at least one radial projection ( 116 ) configured for engaging the female component ( 114 ) and preventing a relative rotation between the male component ( 113 ) and the female component ( 114 ),

at least one invitation portion ( 117 ) extended as a prolongation of the base ( 115 ) along the axis of rotation (X), wherein said invitation portion ( 117 ) has a tapered shape moving away from said base ( 115 ) and is configured for guiding the male component ( 113 ) in at least partial insertion within the female component ( 114 ), and

wherein each radial projection ( 116 ) is extended along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation (X), said projection ( 116 ) comprising:

a main portion ( 116 a ),

an end portion ( 116 b ), following the main portion ( 116 a ) and facing the invitation portion ( 117 ), wherein said end portion ( 116 b ) has a tapered shape configured for guiding each radial projection ( 116 ) in engagement within a respective indentation ( 120 ), optionally shaped as a groove, of the female component ( 114 );

optionally wherein each radial projection ( 116 ) has, at the external surface of the lateral wall ( 119 ) of the central body, an angular extension of between 0° and 20°.

15 . The floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) according to claim 14 , wherein the main portion ( 116 a ) of each of said radial projections ( 116 ) is laterally delimited by sides ( 121 a ) that are parallel to each other or slightly converging moving away from the axis of rotation and wherein the end portion ( 116 b ) of each of said radial projections ( 116 ) is laterally delimited by sides ( 121 b ) that are converging with respect to each other in approaching the invitation portion;

wherein the angular extension of the end portion ( 116 b ) of each radial projection ( 116 ) decreases in approaching the invitation portion ( 117 );

optionally wherein the converging sides ( 121 b ) of the end portion ( 116 b ) of each radial projection ( 116 ) are incident with respect to each other at the invitation portion ( 117 ) to define a sharp or smoothed edge and wherein the converging sides of the end portion ( 116 b ) of each radial projection ( 116 ) form an angle between 10° and 90°.

16 . A floor cleaning apparatus ( 1 ) comprising at least one cleaning unit ( 50 ), wherein said cleaning unit ( 50 ) comprises:

a support frame ( 63 ),

at least one cleaner roller ( 110 ),

a first and a second connector ( 111 , 112 ) interposed between the support frame ( 63 ) and opposite ends of the cleaner roller ( 110 ), in order to rotatably engage the cleaner roller ( 110 ) itself with the support frame ( 63 ) around a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (X)

wherein at least one of the first or the second connector ( 111 , 112 ) comprises a male component ( 113 ) and a female component ( 114 ) coupled together in a removable manner, wherein the male component ( 113 ) comprises:

at least one base ( 115 ) having at least one radial projection ( 116 ) configured for engaging the female component ( 114 ) and preventing a relative rotation between the male component ( 113 ) and the female component ( 114 ),

at least one invitation portion ( 117 ) extended as a prolongation of the base ( 115 ) along the axis of rotation (X), wherein said invitation portion ( 117 ) has a tapered shape moving away from said base ( 115 ) and is configured for guiding the male component ( 113 ) in at least partial insertion within the female component ( 114 ),

wherein the first connector ( 111 ) comprises the male component ( 113 ) and the female component ( 114 ) wherein the cleaning unit ( 50 ) comprises at least one casing ( 135 ) carried by the support frame ( 63 ), said casing ( 135 ) delimiting a compartment suitable to house the cleaner roller ( 110 ); wherein the casing ( 135 ) has at least one hatch ( 136 ) allowing a user to reach the compartment; and wherein a male component ( 113 ) or female component ( 114 ) of the second connector ( 112 ) is engaged with the hatch ( 136 ) and is movable by rotation relative to the hatch ( 136 ), said male component ( 113 ) or female component ( 114 ) of the second connector ( 112 ) being removably engageable with a corresponding element, respectively female or male, carried by the cleaner roller ( 110 ) at one end of the cleaner roller ( 110 ) opposite that where the first connector ( 111 ) operates.